Adjustable steering handles for a vibrating screed

ABSTRACT

A vibrating device for surfacing concrete comprising a surfacing blade, a vibration-causing assembly in communication with the blade, an actuator in communication with the vibration-causing assembly so as to impart vibratory motion to said blade and a steering assembly in communication with surfacing blade. The steering assembly comprising a handle assembly. The handle assembly comprising at least one arm in communication with the blade. This at least one arm is so adjustable as to vary the length thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority on Canadian Patent Application CA2,475,525 filed on Jul. 22, 2004, which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vibrating devices or screeds. Morespecifically the present invention relates to an improved vibratingscreed. Still more specifically, the present invention relates to a sealmember for a vibrating device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vibrating devices and more particularly vibrating screeds for surfacingconcrete are known in the art, these devices include an elongatedsurfacing blade mounted transversally at the bottom of a pair ofhand-held steering handles with an actuator, such as a motor beingadapted to transmit to the blade a vibratory motion. Usually, the motoracts on a vibration-causing device, which is in communication with theblade to impart this vibratory motion.

Examples of such devices inlcude U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,188 issued toRouillard Aug. 29, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,961 issued to Rouillard onJul. 18, 1989, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,467 issued to Rouillard on Oct.2, 2001.

A drawback of the prior art is that the handles are not of a convenientheight for a variety of users.

Another drawback of the prior art vibrating screeds is that thevibration-causing device causes undesired movements to the blade that donot allow for smooth surfacing.

A further drawback of the prior art is that the junction between theactuator and the vibration-causing assembly is often damaged by concreteaccidentally entering this junction during the surfacing operation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved vibratingdevice for surfacing concrete.

Another object of the present invention is to provide adjustable handlearms for a vibrating screed so as to adjust the height thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide avibration-resistance member so as to substantially avoid the vibratorymotion of the blade from being transmitted to the steering handles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there isprovided a vibrating device for surfacing concrete, the devicecomprising:

a surfacing blade;

a vibration-causing assembly in communication with the blade;

an actuator in communication with the vibration-causing assembly so asto impart a vibratory motion to the blade; and

a steering assembly in communication with the surfacing blade, thesteering assembly comprising a handle assembly, the handle assemblycomprising at least one arm in communication with the blade;

wherein at least one arm is so adjustable as to vary the length thereof.

In an embodiment, at least one arm comprises telescoping portionsthereof, the telescoping portions being moveable relative to each otherso as to vary the length of the arm.

In an embodiment, at least one arm comprises first and secondtelescoping portions, the first telescoping portion comprising a freeend having a handle and being moveable connected to the secondtelescoping portion at its opposite end, the second telescoping portionbeing in communication with the blade at the bottom end thereof.

In an embodiment, at least one arm comprises a locking assembly forlocking at least one of the telescoping portions into position withanother adjacent telescoping portion.

In an embodiment, at least one of the telescoping portions is a smallerportion, another adjacent portion being a larger portion, the smallerportion being slidably moveable within the larger portion.

In an embodiment, the locking assembly comprises a tightening memberabout an opening of the larger portion receiving the smaller portiontherein, the locking assembly further comprising a cam for acting on thetightening member so as to so tighten the tightening member as to lockthe smaller portion into a given position relative to the largerportion.

In an embodiment, the tightening member is a ring-member formed at theopening of the larger portion.

In an embodiment, the locking assembly further comprises a lever, thelever configured to actuate the cam so as to either tighten thetightening member thereby locking the smaller portion or to loosen thetightening member thereby releasing the smaller portion so as to bemoveable relative to the larger portion.

In an embodiment, the handle assembly comprises two arms.

In an embodiment, the at least one of the two arms comprises a free endwith a controller linked to the actuator for control thereof. In anembodiment, the controller comprises a throttle handle.

In an embodiment, at least one arm comprises one end in communicationwith the blade and an opposite free end having a handle. In anembodiment, the handle comprises a grip member.

In an embodiment, the one end is connected to a vibration-resistancemember in communication with the blade and providing to substantiallyavoid the vibratory motion from being transmitted to the arm. In anembodiment, the vibration-resistance member is in communication with thevibration-causing assembly. In an embodiment, the vibration-resistancemember is connected to a plate member in communication with thevibration-causing assembly. In an embodiment, the plate member is incommunication with the blade. In an embodiment, the vibration-resistancemember comprises a backing member having a top portion connected to atleast one arm and a bottom portion connected to the plate member. In anembodiment, the vibration-resistance member comprises a backing member.

In an embodiment, the vibrating device further comprises a seal memberfor sealing a junction between the actuator and the vibration-causingassembly.

In an embodiment, the actuator is in communication with thevibration-causing assembly via a transmission, the seal member mountedabout the transmission. In an embodiment, the transmission comprises anaxle. In an embodiment, the axle comprises a flexible axle.

In an embodiment, the actuator comprises a driving assembly incommunication with the vibration-causing assembly, the seal member beingmounted about the driving assembly. In an embodiment, the drivingassembly comprises a driving shaft in communication with an axle, theseal member sealing the axle. In an embodiment, the axle comprises aflexible axle. In an embodiment, the sealing member is mounted about theflexible axle. In an embodiment, the seal member comprises a materialthat provides for the vibration causing assembly to impart the vibratorymotion to the blade.

In an embodiment, the seal member comprises resilient flexible material.In an embodiment, the flexible material is selected from the groupconsisting of rubber, and plastic.

In an embodiment, the seal member comprises top and bottom portions anda middle portion therebetween. In an embodiment, the seal membercomprises a ring-like configuration.

In an embodiment, the actuator is housed within an actuator housing, thevibration-causing assembly comprising a counterweight body, the sealmember top portion being in communication with the actuator housing, theseal member bottom portion being in communication with the counterweightbody. In an embodiment, the actuator housing comprises a top plateportion extending therefrom, the counterweight body comprising a bottomplate portion extending therefrom, the seal member top portion beingmounted to the top plate portion, the seal member bottom portion beingmounted to the bottom plate portion.

In an embodiment, the seal member top and bottom portions compriserespective mounting elements. In an embodiment, the mounting elementscomprise protruding fasteners, the top and bottom plate portionscomprising respective apertures corresponding to the protrudingfasteners.

In an embodiment, the seal member is mounted between two opposite plateportions of a plate member. In an embodiment, the plate member is incommunication with the vibration-causing assembly. In an embodiment, thevibration causing assembly comprises a counterweight body connected tothe plate member. In an embodiment, the counterweight body is incommunication with the blade. In an embodiment, the counterweight bodyis connected to an elongate vibrating member being connected to theblade. In an embodiment, the plate member is in communication with theblade. In an embodiment, the plate member is connected to an elongatevibrating member connected to the blade. In an embodiment, thevibration-causing assembly is connected to the vibrating member. In anembodiment, the vibration-causing assembly comprises a counterweightbody, the counterweight body is connected to the vibrating member.

In an embodiment, the vibration-causing assembly comprises a shaftassembly and a bearing assembly in communication with the shaft assemblyfor substantially avoiding undesired movement of the blade during thevibratory motion. In an embodiment, the bearing assembly comprises adouble bearing assembly. In an embodiment, the double bearing assemblycomprises a first bearing mounted to one end of the shaft assembly and asecond bearing mounted to an opposite end of the shaft assembly. In anembodiment, the first bearing is mounted between two shoulder structuresformed at one end of the shaft assembly and the second bearing ismounted between another two shoulder structures formed at an oppositeend of the shaft assembly.

In an embodiment, the actuator comprises a motor in communication with atransmission connecting the motor to the vibration-causing assembly. Inan embodiment, the transmission comprises an axle in communication atone end thereof to the motor and in communication at an opposite endthereof to the shaft assembly. In an embodiment, the axle is incommunication with the motor via a drive shaft. In an embodiment, theaxle comprises a resilient flexible axle, the motor acting on theflexible axle causing the undesired movement.

In an embodiment, the undesired movement comprises a wiggling movement.In an embodiment, the undesired movement comprises an undesiredoscillating movement that prevents smooth surfacing of the concrete.

In an embodiment, the vibration-causing assembly comprises acounterweight body in communication with the blade. In an embodiment,the counterweight body defines a housing enclosure for housing the shaftassembly therein.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a vibrating device for surfacing concrete, the vibrating devicecomprising:

a surfacing blade;

an actuator/vibration-causing assembly in communication with the bladeso as to impart a vibratory motion to the blade;

a steering assembly in communication with the surfacing blade via theactuator/vibration-causing assembly; and

a vibration-resistance member mounted between the steering assembly andthe actuator/vibration-causing assembly,

wherein vibration-resistance substantially avoids the vibratory motionfrom being transmitted to the steering assembly.

In an embodiment, the vibration-resistance member comprises a panel. Inan embodiment, the panel is mounted at one end to the steering assemblyand at an opposite end to the actuator/vibration-causing assembly. In anembodiment, the panel comprises a backing panel. In an embodiment, thevibration-resistance member comprises perforations for interrupting theflow vibratory motion transmitted thereon. In an embodiment, theperforations are selected from the group consisting of: holes,apertures, openings, indentations and any combination thereof.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictivedescription of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings where like elements are referenced by likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a vibrating screed, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of portion 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flexible seal in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial front elevational view of a handle assembly of thepresent invention in accordance with an embodiment thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the appended drawings, embodiments of the inventionwill be herein described so as to exemplify the invention only and by nomeans limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a vibrating device or vibrating screed 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Apart from the invention disclosed and the various embodiments thereof,vibrating screed 10 bears some similarity to the vibrating screed ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,296,467, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The vibrating screed 10 comprises an elongated surfacing blade 12, asteering assembly 14 in communication with the blade 12, anactuator/vibration-causing assembly 16 in communication with blade 12for imparting a vibratory motion thereto, as will be described herein,such that, when the blade 12 is displaced over a not yet set concretesurface (not shown), it surfaces or smoothens, this concrete surface.

The actuator/vibration-causing assembly 16 includes an actuator 18 incommunication with a vibration-causing assembly 20. The actuator 18includes a motor 22. The skilled artisan will appreciate that motor 22may be powered by gasoline or other fuels and may also be electric.

The steering assembly 14 comprises a pair of handle assemblies 14 a and14 b extending upwardly and rearwardly from the blade 12 and beingspaced apart along the orientation of the blade 12. The handleassemblies 14 a and 14 b are in communication at their bottom ends 24with the blade 12 via the actuator/vibration-causing assembly 16 and arefurther attached together by a cross bar 26. Lower ends 24 are mountedto a vibration-resistance member 28 in the form of a backing panel thatsubstantially avoids the aforementioned vibratory motion from beingtransmitted to the handle assemblies 14 a and 14 b. Backing panel 28 isin communication with a plate member 30 that is in communication withthe blade 12. In another embodiment, the backing panel 28 may also bespaced apart from plate member 30 and mounted directly to the blade 12.

The vibration-resistance member 28, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a largesurface for absorbing vibes emanating from the vibration-causingassembly 20. The vibration-resistance member 28 includes holes 27 and29, which provide for making the panel 28 lighter as well asinterrupting the vibration flow emanating from the vibration-causingassembly 20. Of course a variety and a plurality of such holes,apertures, pores, opening, or indentations can be provided. In anotherembodiment, the member 28 is a solid piece of material. Thevibration-resistance member 28 includes a top end 23 connected to thesteering assembly 14 and a bottom end 25 mounted to theactuator/vibration-causing assembly 16.

With reference to FIG. 2, plate 30 includes top and bottom plateportions 30A and 30B respectively. The top plate portion 30A is mountedto the backing panel 28 and the bottom plate portion 30B is mounted toan elongate vibrating member 32, which is mounted to the blade 12.

A seal or sealing member 34 is sandwiched between the top and bottomportions 30A and 30B, respectively, of the plate member 30.

As better shown in FIG. 3, seal member 34 has a ring-like configurationemulating the shape of plate 30 and includes top and bottom portions 36and 38, respectively, and middle portion 40 therebetween. The topportion 36 includes top fastening members, such as screws 42 and thebottom portion 38 includes fastening members, such as screws 44. Asshown in FIG. 2, the top and bottom fastening members 32 and 34 serve tobe mounted, via bolts 46 to the top and bottom plate portions 18A and18B respectively.

The flexible seal 24 is made of a variety of resilient flexible materialas will be understood by the skilled artisan.

The flexible seal provides for sealing a junction of the actuator 18 andthe vibration causing assembly 20 as will be detailed below.

Returning to FIG. 1, the actuator 18 includes an actuator housing 50 onwhich motor 22 is mounted; the housing 50 is in communication with theplate member 30.

As shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 18 and the vibration-causing assembly20 are connected at their junction via a transmission 56. In thisexample, the transmission 56 is an axle. Hence, the actuator 18comprises a motor 22 connected to a driving assembly 52; the drivingassembly 52 includes a drive shaft 54 and the axle 56 which are incommunication. The drive shaft 54 extends within the actuator or shafthousing 50 and is rotatably driven by the motor 22 and supported in thehousing 50 by bearings 58 at its bottom portion 60.

The drive shaft 54 is mounted to the axle 56 at its bottom portion 60.Axle 56 is a resilient flexible axle member. This bottom portion 60defines a receiving-bore 62 for receiving therein a connector protrusion64 extending from the top portion 66 of the resilient flexible axle 56.This bottom portion 60 also includes a cap 70 which is snuggly fittedover the top portion 68 of the resilient flexible axle 56. The bearing58 are kept in place between top shoulders 72 and 74 extending from thedrive shaft 54 and the housing 50 respectively and a bottom disc 76acting as a shoulder structure that is wedged within correspondingcircular recesses defined by the housing 50 and shaft 54.

Of course a variety of driving assemblies that can impart a vibratorymotion via a vibration-causing assembly to a blade can be contemplatedwithin the context of the present invention. A variety of transmissionsfor connecting the actuator 18 to the vibration-causing assembly 20 canalso be contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

As will be described herein, the motor 22 and driving assembly 52 is incommunication with the vibration-causing assembly 20 via thetransmission 56 in the form of axle.

More specifically, the resilient flexible axle 56 is mounted to a shaftassembly 78 at its bottom portion 80. This shaft assembly 78 is mountedwithin a counterweight body 82 defining housing 84. This bottom portion80 of the resilient flexible axle 56 includes a connecting protrusion 86that is fitted within a complementary receiving portion 88 formed on thetop portion 90 of the shaft assembly 58 and defining a receiving bore92. The shaft assembly 78 is supported by a bearing assembly 94, whichis a double bearing assembly comprising top bearings 96 and bottombearings 98. The top bearings 98 surround the receiving portion 88 andare positioned between a top disc 100, acting as a shoulder, andshoulders 102 defined by the shaft assembly 78. The top disc 100 iswedged within and between corresponding circular recesses defined byhousing 84 and portion 88. The bottom bearings 98 surround the bottomportion 104 of the shaft assembly 78 and are positioned between a bottomdisc 106, acting as a shoulder, and shoulders 108 defined by the shaftassembly 78. The bottom disc 106 is wedged within and betweencorresponding circular recesses defined within the counterweight housing84 and portion 104. The counterweight body 82 is capped off at itsbottom end by enclosure 110.

Therefore, the vibration-causing assembly 20 includes a shaft assemblyrotatably mounted within a counterweight body 82.

Of course, the skilled artisan can contemplate other ways of mountingthe bearing assembly 94 to the shaft assembly 78 for the purposes of thepresent invention as described below.

The double bearing system 94 provides for substantially avoiding anyundesired oscillating movement, which does not allow for a smoothsurfacing of the non-set concrete. This undesired oscillating movementis in many cases a wiggling movement caused during actuation of thedrive shaft 54 acting on the resilient flexible axle 56, which acts onthe shaft assembly 78 in order to cause vibration of the counterweightbody 82, which in turn vibrates the blade 12, via the vibrating member32. In this way, a more stable surfacing system is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the surfacing blade includes a leading edge 112, asurfacing underside 114 for surfacing contact with the concrete and abacking 116 which is mounted to the elongate vibrating member 32, theelongate vibrating member being mounted to the counterweight body 82 andto the bottom plate portion 30B.

The seal member 34, functions to protect the driving assembly 52 at thejunction of the actuator 18 and the vibration-causing assembly 20.Therefore, the seal 34 protects transmission 56 between the flexibleaxle 56 as well as the top portion 110 of the shaft assembly 78 fromconcrete during surfacing, since the small space between plate portions30A and 30B would cause small particles of concrete to enter damagingthe axle 78 and shaft assembly 78. Since the seal 34 is made of flexiblematerial it does not interfere with the vibratory motion imparted to theblade 12, caused by the motor 22 acting on the drive shaft 52, whichrotates about its vertical axis thus acting on the flexible axle 56which in turn actuates the shaft assembly 78 causing the counterweightbody 82 to vibrate and to act on the elongate vibrating member 32 whichtransfers this vibratory motion to the blade 12. The seal 56 being madeof flexible material does not interfere with the flow of the foregoing.

FIG. 5 shows handle assembly 14 a of the vibrating screed 10. It shouldbe noted that handle assembly 14 b is similarly constructed; yetassembly 14 a will be described herein for concision purposes only.

Handle assembly 14 a comprises an adjustable grip member 118 mounted viaan adjustable connector rod 120 to an adjustable tubular arm 122 at thetop free end 124 thereof. The arm 122 is adjustable so as to vary inheight as shown by arrow A. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 122includes two telescoping tubular portions 122A and 122B, which areslidably mounted to each other for adjusting the height of arm 122.Telescoping portion 122A is smaller and slidably mounted within thelarger telescoping portion 122B, which provides for slidably moving thearm portion 122A in an up or down direction, as shown by arrow A. Asshown in FIG. 1, the arm portions 122B are elbowed at their respectivecorners 126 so as to be directed inwardly towards backing plate 28,which their respective bottom ends 24 are mounted to.

As mentioned above and with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, telescopingtubular arm portion 122A is moveable within tubular arm portion 122B.The movement, as shown by arrow A, of portion 122A within portion 122B,adjusts the height of arm 98. Portion 122A is locked in a desiredposition via locking assembly 128. Locking assembly 128 includes atightening portion 130 having a ring-like structure formed the top 132of tubular arm portion 122B about the opening 134 thereof that receivesarm portion 122A. This ring-like portion 130 is tightened via a cam 136acting thereon. The cam 136 is positioned in an engaging position whenmoving its connected lever 138 downwards (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6),thereby tightening the ring-like portion 130, which lockingly gripsportion 122A in position; when moving the lever upwards, the cam 106 isin a disengaging position and ceases to act on the ring-like portion 134which slightly expands in order to allow for the free sliding movement Aof portion 122A within portion 122B. The skilled artisan will appreciatethat this arrangement is similar to locking mechanisms for adjustablebicycle seats for example.

Of course, arm 122 can be provided in a greater number of telescopingportions and can be locked into a desired height by a variety ofmechanisms known in the art.

The grip handle 118 of one of the handle assemblies, in this caseassembly 14 a is provided with a throttle control (not shown), as isknown in the art and which is connected to a throttle cable 140extending to the motor 122. Tie wraps 142 are used to attach the cable140 to the arm 122.

In operation, the user adjusts the arms 122 to a desired height andlocks them via the locking assembly 128. The user then places thesurfacing blade 12 onto concrete and presses throttle control, whichactivates the motor 22 to drive shaft 54 and the flexible axle 56 whichacts on the shaft assembly 78 causing the counterweight body 82 to acton the vibrating member 32 which imparts a vibratory motion to the blade12. The user moves the screed 10 along the length of the concrete,surfacing it as the blade 12 vibrates thereon. The seal member 34protects the flexible axle 56 and the shaft assembly 78 and the junctionthereof from the ricochet of concrete particles. The flexible seal 34also provides for a flexible connection between the top plate portion30A mounted to the housing 50 and the bottom plate 30B mounted to thecounterweight body 82 and as such does not impede the vibratory motionthat is imparted to the blade 12. During surfacing, the double bearing94 avoids the wiggling movement of the shaft assembly 78, which in turnavoids undesired movements of the counterweight body 82 as well as theundesired oscillating movements to the blade 12, via the elongatevibrating member 32. During surfacing, the vibration-resistance member28 substantially avoids transmitting the vibratory motion to the handleassemblies 14 a and 14 b, and thereby to the user.

Keeping the above description in mind, the following is a non-limitingdescription of various alternative embodiments.

The vibrating screed 10 may comprise a steering assembly 14 thatincludes one or more handle assemblies such as 14 a or 14 b. The handleassemblies can be constructed of various plastic, metallic or otherstrong and durable materials as is suitable in the art.

The actuator 18 may comprise a variety of motors 22 known in the art andvarious driving mechanisms for actuating vibration-causing assembly asis known in the art. In the illustrated example, a throttle control witha throttle cable 140 for activating the motor 22 was shown. Of course,motor 22 can be activated by a variety of control mechanisms and beliked via a wire or via remote/wireless linkage to such a control.

The invention is not limited to the vibration-causing assembly 20described herein but it includes other types of vibration-causingassemblies known in the art.

The elongate vibration member 32 can be provided in a variety ofmaterials, sizes and configurations suitable for transmitting avibratory motion to the blade 12 and for providing the blade 12 with anagile connection to the screed 10 that allows it to vibrate inaccordance with the needs of the user.

A variety of surfacing blades 12 can also be contemplated within thescope of the present invention. Surfacing blades will be selected by theskilled artisan for their performance, durability, width and otherfactors.

The vibration-resistance member 28 of the invention can be configured ina variety of alternative constructions that provide for avoiding thevibratory motion from being transmitted to the steering assembly.

The plate member 30 can also be provided in a variety of sizes andconfigurations and may include a variety of plate portions, such as 30Aand 30B, mounted to one another with flexible seal members, such as 34,mounted between each pair of adjacent portions.

The seal member 34 can be constructed in a variety of ways within thecontext of the present invention for both sealing the driving assembly52 and especially the flexible axle 56 from concrete during surfacing.The seal member 34 can be mounted about the junction of the actuator 18and the vibration-causing assembly 20, or about the driving assembly 52and especially about the transmission 56 which in the illustratedexample is in the form of a resilient and flexible axle 56, by a varietyof ways as can be contemplated by the skilled artisan. Hence, theflexible seals of the invention may comprises a variety of fastening ormounting elements depending on the configuration of the bodies whichenclose the aforementioned junction, driving assembly 52, transmissionan/or the flexible axle 56.

The bearing assembly 94 can include a greater number of bearings, ofvarious constructions and configurations, for substantially avoiding anyundesired oscillating movement (such as wiggling of the blade), whichdoes not allow for a smooth surfacing of the concrete.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and parts illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practised in various ways. Itis also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used hereinis for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, althoughthe present invention has been described hereinabove by way ofembodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from thespirit, scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in theappended claims.

1. A vibrating device for surfacing concrete, said vibrating devicecomprising: a surfacing blade; a vibration-causing assembly incommunication with said blade; an actuator in communication with saidvibration-causing assembly so as to impart a vibratory motion to saidblade; and a steering assembly in communication with said surfacingblade, said steering assembly comprising a handle assembly, said handleassembly comprising at least one arm in communication with said blade;wherein at least one said arm is so adjustable as to vary the lengththereof.
 2. A vibrating device according to claim 1, wherein said atleast one arm comprises telescoping portion thereof, said telescopingportions being moveable relative to each other so as to vary the lengthof said arm.
 3. A vibrating device according to claim 2, wherein said atleast one arm comprises first and second telescoping portions, saidfirst telescoping portion comprising a free end having a handle andbeing moveable connected to said second telescoping portion at itsopposite end, said second telescoping portion being in communicationwith said blade at the bottom end thereof.
 4. A vibrating deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one arm comprises a lockingassembly for locking at least one of said telescoping portions intoposition with another adjacent telescoping portion.
 5. A vibratingdevice according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said telescopingportions is a smaller portion, said another adjacent portion being alarger portion, said smaller portion being slidably moveable within saidlarger portion.
 6. A vibrating device according to claim 5, wherein saidlocking assembly comprises a tightening member about an opening of saidlarger portion receiving said smaller portion therein, said lockingassembly further comprising a cam for acting on said tightening memberso as to so tighten said tightening member as to lock said smallerportion into a given position relative to said larger portion.
 7. Avibrating device according to claim 6, wherein said tightening member isa ring-member formed at said opening of said larger portion.
 8. Avibrating device according to claim 6, wherein said locking assemblyfurther comprises a lever, said lever configured to actuate said cam soas to either tighten said tightening member thereby locking said smallerportion or to loosen said tightening member thereby releasing saidsmaller portion so as to be moveable relative to said larger portion. 9.A vibrating device according to claim 1, wherein said handle assemblycomprises two said arms.
 10. A vibrating device according to claim 9,wherein said at least one of said two arms comprises a free end with acontroller linked to said actuator for control thereof.
 11. A vibratingdevice according to claim 10, wherein said controller comprises athrottle handle.
 12. A vibrating device according to claim 1, whereinsaid at least one arm comprises one end in communication with said bladeand an opposite free end having a handle.
 13. A vibrating deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein said handle comprises a grip member. 14.A vibrating device according to claim 12, wherein said one end isconnected to a vibration-resistance member in communication with saidblade and providing to substantially avoid said vibratory motion frombeing transmitted to said arm.
 15. A vibrating device according to claim14, wherein said vibration-resistance member is in communication withsaid vibration-causing assembly.
 16. A vibrating device according toclaim 15, wherein said vibration-resistance member is connected to aplate member in communication with said vibration-causing assembly. 17.A vibrating device according to claim 16, wherein said plate member isin communication with said blade.
 18. A vibrating device according toclaim 16, wherein said vibration-resistance member comprises a backingmember having a top portion connected to said at least one arm and abottom portion connected to said plate member.
 19. A vibrating deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein said vibration-resistance membercomprises a backing member.
 20. A vibrating device according to claim 1,further comprising a seal member for sealing a junction between saidactuator and said vibration-causing assembly.
 21. A vibrating deviceaccording to claim 20, wherein said actuator is in communication withsaid vibration-causing assembly via a transmission, said seal membermounted about said transmission.
 22. A vibrating device according toclaim 21, wherein said transmission comprises an axle.
 23. A vibratingdevice according to claim 22, wherein said axle comprises a flexibleaxle.
 24. A vibrating device according to claim 20, wherein said sealmember comprises resilient flexible material.
 25. A vibrating deviceaccording to claim 20, wherein said seal member is mounted between twoopposite plate portions of a plate member.
 26. A vibrating deviceaccording to claim 25, wherein said plate member is in communicationwith said steering assembly.
 27. A vibrating device according to claim25, wherein said plate member is in communication with saidvibration-causing assembly.
 28. A vibrating device according to claim27, wherein said vibration-causing assembly is in communication withsaid blade.
 29. A vibrating device according to claim 28, wherein saidvibration-causing assembly comprises a counterweight body incommunication with a vibrating member being connected to said blade. 30.A vibrating device according to claim 1, wherein said vibration-causingassembly comprises a shaft assembly and a bearing assembly incommunication with said shaft assembly for substantially avoidingundesired movement of said blade during said vibratory motion.
 31. Avibrating device according to claim 30, wherein said bearing assemblycomprises a double bearing assembly.
 32. A vibrating device according toclaim 31, wherein said double bearing assembly comprises a first bearingmounted to one end of said shaft assembly and a second bearing mountedto an opposite end of said shaft assembly.
 33. A vibrating deviceaccording to claim 30, wherein said undesired movement comprises anundesired oscillating movement that prevents smooth surfacing of theconcrete.
 34. A vibrating device according to claim 33, wherein saidundesired movement comprises a wiggling movement.
 35. A vibrating deviceaccording to claim 30, wherein said actuator comprises a driving shaftconnected to said shaft assembly via a flexible axle, said flexible axlecausing said undesired movement.
 36. A vibrating device for surfacingconcrete, said vibrating device comprising: a surfacing blade; anactuator/vibration-causing assembly in communication with said blade soas to impart a vibratory motion to said blade; a steering assembly incommunication with said surfacing blade via saidactuator/vibration-causing assembly; and a vibration-resistance membermounted between said steering assembly and saidactuator/vibration-causing assembly, wherein vibration-resistancesubstantially avoids said vibratory motion from being transmitted tosaid steering assembly.
 37. A vibrating device according to claim 36,wherein said vibration-resistance member comprises a panel.
 38. Avibrating device according to claim 37, wherein said panel is mounted atone end to said steering assembly and at an opposite end to saidactuator/vibration-causing assembly.
 39. A vibrating device according toclaim 37, wherein said panel comprises a backing panel.
 40. A vibratingdevice according to claim 36, wherein said vibration-resistance membercomprises perforations for interrupting the flow vibratory motiontransmitted thereon.
 41. A vibrating device according to claim 36,wherein said perforations are selected from the group consisting of:holes, apertures, openings, indentations and any combination thereof.